The creator of Star Wars, George Lucas, had a specific vision in mind. Disney is taking the franchise in a different direction with Star Wars: The Acolyte.
George Lucus, creator of Star Wars, initially intended the franchise to have a traditional focus on the heroes of the galaxy and their fight for freedom. Typically, this took the form of Jedi vs. Sith and Light vs. Dark. This theme can be seen throughout his 6 movies (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi). Does Disney’s Star Wars: The Acolyte fit into his original plan?
Newer additions to the franchise have strayed away from this premise through their choice of protagonists – from bounty hunters in “The Mandalorian” to renegade clones in “The Bad Batch”. One thing that has not changed: heroes are always the main characters… until now. The upcoming show, Star Wars: The Acolyte, is set to break this trend by following the Sith during the High Republic Era.
Does George Lucas approve of this shift, and will fans accept the new format?
Lucas’s Vision vs. Disney’s Direction
While Lucas kept younger audiences in mind when working on the original and prequel trilogies, “The Acolyte” seems to be taking on a more mature tone. Lucas’s movies focused on fun adventures in a fantastical galaxy, instilling a sense of wonder. Meanwhile, “The Acolyte” may portray a more nuanced story where the line blurs between the Light and Dark sides of the force. These changes may limit the appeal and audience of the upcoming Star Wars entry.
Lucas always wanted Star Wars to keep up with the times, knowing that the franchise would have to evolve to maintain relevance. He also understood that while Star Wars was made for children, it would always have an older fan base. For that reason, he included mature aspects – such as the details of Palpatine’s political maneuverings and Order 66.
The Pros and Cons – Star Wars: The Acolytes
As with all changes, there are pros and cons to Disney’s approach. Here are a few examples:
Due to the nature of streaming, Star Wars can take a more diversified approach. Shows can be released specifically with either children or adults in mind. There is something for everyone, widening the overall appeal. It allows the Star Wars universe to explore new locations, events, and characters that would never have been introduced otherwise.
On the other hand, many fans have deeply immersed themselves in the Star Wars universe. They want to read, watch, and play all media in search of new lore and continued story arcs. If certain media is unappealing – due to writing, art, or retconning – these fans may feel frustrated and lose interest. Tailoring content to various age groups may make the Star Wars franchise feel less unified in its narrative. Canon events may not always be represented, and certain characters may be overlooked. The possibility of plot holes increases significantly.
Disney’s Star Wars releases have been hit or miss with fans. Which side of history will “The Acolyte” fall?
Star Wars: The Acolyte – Plot, Cast and Release
Lucasfilm has described the series as “a mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark side powers in the final days of the High Republic era”. A former Padawan reunites with her Jedi master to investigate a series of crimes, but the Jedi will encounter “sinister” forces that threaten both the Jedi Order and the Republic.
The core cast was officially unveiled by Disney+ and Lucasfilm on November 7, 2022. It includes Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Charlie Barnett, Dean-Charles Chapman, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Joonas Suotame.
“The Acolyte” has come from the creator, showrunner, and executive producer Leslye Headland and began production in late 2022. Disney and Lucasfilm have yet to release any official trailers or previews. “Star Wars: The Acolyte” is scheduled to release in 2024 as an 8-episode series on Disney+.
Will you watch “Star Wars: The Acolyte”? Have you seen any of Disney’s other Star Wars shows? Follow us for more Star Wars news.